China Office to Handle Overseas Adoptions

BEIJING — China seems to be making it easier for foreigners to adopt Chinese orphans and has set up the first government-run agency to handle overseas adoptions, the official New China News Agency reported on Monday.

China once vigorously resisted allowing foreigners to take its orphaned children.

But in recent years, the number of illegal adoptions has surged. These adoptions are brokered by middlemen who demand huge fees.

The news agency said the new China Adoption Center will offer consulting services and coordinate between adoption agencies in China and overseas.